Cam operated snap switch having wire contacts



J. R. FRANCY Sept. 20, 1966 CAM OPERATED SNAP SWITCH HAVING WIRE CONTACTS 5 Sheets-- Filed Feb. 8, 1965 wheat, l

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CAM OPERATED SNAP SWITCH HAVING WIRE CONTACTS Filed Feb. 8, 1965 S5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiaa if I W Sept. 20, 1966 J. R. FRANCY 3,274,355

CAM OPERATED SNAP SWITCH HAVING WIRE CONTACTS Filed Feb. 8, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a M 6 P .M 5 M M m NW $4 WW w a s 0 Mumm v 0 9 5 j I A United States Patent Ofiice 3,274,355 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 3,274,355 CAM OPERATED SNAP SWITCH HAVING WIRE CQNTACTS James R. Francy, Los Angeles, Calif, assignor to Scantlin Electronics, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 430,954 14 Claims. (Cl. 20077) This invention relates to an electrical switch and more particularly to an easily constructed snap actuated switch.

The several snap actuated switches of the prior art have been found impractical primarily because of their complexity, unreliability, and relatively high cost. Many of the conventional snap actuated switches employ a large number of conductive and insulating parts which are not necessarily easily formed and are secured together by separate fastening or bonding means thereby increasing complexity and adding to the cost of manufacture. It is also conventional practice to utilize a conductive bridging member which is snapped into and out of engagement with two fixed contacts. As the bridging member must properly engage both fixed contacts, reliability is only approximately 50% of what it would be if engagement with only one fixed contact were necessary.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a snap actuated switch which is inexpensive and reliable, and the parts of which are few and easily fabricated. More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a snap actuated switch which requires only four basic parts, of which two may be easily injection molded and the other two may be identically formed by shaping two pieces of conductive wire.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch which is quickly and easily assembled. Assembly is facilitated by securing the elements of the switch together with snap-ins or snap actuated means thereby obviating the need for the usual separate screws, fasteners, and bonding means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch in which a wire having a movable contact thereon is acted upon by cam means to snap the movable contact between the open and closed positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch having a single, integral wire forming an arm for carrying a movable contact, a coil spring for biasing the arm, and a conductive lead for carrying a terminal.

According to another object of this invention, the reliability of a snap actuated switch is improved by utilizing two separate integral wires to form two independent parallel circuits within the switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch in which a first integral wire forms a first movable arm for carrying a first movable contact and a first conductor for carrying a first fixed contact, and a second integral wire forms a second movable arm for carrying a second movable contact and a second conductor for carrying a second fixed contact, the first and second movable contacts being snapped into and out of engagement with the second and first fixed contacts, respectively. More particularly, it is an object to form first and second coil springs intermediate the ends of said first and second wires, respectively, to bias the first and second arms. A particular object of this invention is to provide all contacts as surface portions on the first and second wires.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch in which a circuit is closed by snapping two wires together and in which a wiping action between such wires is produced to clean the contacts carried thereby.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap actuated switch in which contact bounce and sensitivity to shock and vibration are maintained at a minimum.

Briefly stated, the objects of this invention may be accomplished by providing a switch housing having an actuator shaft mounted for movement therein and snap actuated means for releasably retaining the actuator shaft in the switch housing. A conductive wire is substantially rigidly mounted at one portion of its length within the housing, the wire between the mounted portion and one end thereof defining a movable arm which is engageable with the actuator shaft. A fixed contact is mounted in the housing adjacent the actuator shaft and a movable contact is carried on the movable arm. Cam means are provided on the actuator shaft engageable with the movable arm and responsive to movement of the actuator shaft for snapping the movable contact into and out of engagement with the fixed contact. To bias the moving contact toward the actuator shaft and to facilitate movement of the movable arm, the wire may form at least one coil intermediate its ends. When it is desired to provide two independent parallel circuits within the housing, two identical wires each having a coil intermediate its ends and each also carrying one fixed and one movable contact are provided with the fixed and movable contacts of one wire being engageable with the movable and fixed contacts, respectively, of the other Wire.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention mounted in a supporting body;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partially in section taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 4 and showing the components of the switch in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view partially in section taken along line 44 in FIG. 3 and shows the positions of the first and second wires;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the actuator shaft taken along line 55 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view partially in section taken along line 77 in FIG. 3 showing the components of the switch in the closed position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4 and showing the manner in which the switch is secured to the supporting body;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 4 and showing the positioning tongue of the switch hous- FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of one of the conductive wires employed in the switch;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the switch in the open position with portions of the switch housing broken away;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view partially in section of the switch housing showing how the wires are secured thereto;

FIGS. 13a-l3d are elevational views partially in section showing how the cam means on the actuator shaft moves the movable arm between the open and closed positions; and

FIGS. 14a-l4b are sectional views taken along the lines 14a14a, 14b-14b, 14c-14c, and 14tl-14d in FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 11 designates a snap actuated switch constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and mounted in a supporting body 13. The snap actuated switch 11 may be constructed from as few as four or five basic parts including a housing 15, an actuator shaft 17 slidably received with the housing, two integral conductive wires 19 and 21 and, if desired, a return spring 23 (FIG. 3).

The switch housing 15 is integrally formed by injection molding of an insulating material such as a thermoplastic. The switch housing 15 is generally cylindrical, has an annular abutment surface 25 at the upper end thereof, a lower end 26, and a radially extending annular flange 27 adjacent its upper end. The expressions upper and lower are used herein only for convenience, it being understood that the switch 11 will function without regard to the orientation of the switch housing 15. An upwardly extending locking finger 29 (FIGS. 2, 6, and 8) having a longitudinal recess 31 extending radially inwardly therein extends upwardly from adjacent the lower end 26 toward the annular flange 27. An identical locking finger 32 (FIG. 6) and recess 32a are similarly formed on the other side of the switch housing. A longitudinally extending positioning tongue 33 (FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 9) extends a short distance downwardly from the annular flange 27.

The switch housing 15 is received by an opening 35 formed in the supporting body 13 and having a vertically extending groove 37 formed in a portion of the periphery of the opening. By aligning the positioning tongue 33 with the peripheral groove 37, the switch housing 15 may be forced downwardly through the opening 35 in the supporting body 13 thereby camming the resilient locking fingers 29 and 32 inwardly until they snap into a locking position as shown in FIG. 8. By bending the resilient locking fingers 29 and 32 into their respective longitudinal recesses 31 and 32a, the snap actuated switch 11 may be withdrawn from the supporting body 13. Thus, no conventional separate fastening or bonding member is required to secure the snap actuated switch 11 to the supporting body 13.

The details of construction of the interior of the switch housing 15 may best be understood by reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 12. A relatively large diameter axial bore 39 having a vertically extending groove 41 is formed at the upper end of the switch housing 15, the bore 39 communicating with two diametrically opposed wire-receiving passages 43 and 45. The wire-receiving passages 43 and 45 have small diameter generally cylindrical portions 47 and 49, respectively, at their upper ends and frusto-conical portions 51 and 53, respectively, diverging outwardly to a maximum diameter at the lower end of the switch housing 15. A stepped axial bore 55 of circular cross section having an annular shoulder 57 and a tapered guiding surface 58 connects the large diameter bore 39 with an axial recess 59 formed in the lower end of the housing 15. An annular boss 61 having a tapered conical end wall 63 extends axially downwardly through a portion of the recess 59. Two cylindrical diametrically opposed longitudinally extending passageways 65 and 67 spaced approximately 90 from the passages 43 and 45 extend downwardly from the bore 39 (FIGS. 6 and 7) and are placed in communication with the bore 55 by slots 68 and 68a, respectively.

The actuator shaft, like the housing 15, is preferably an integral unit formed by injecting molding of insulating thermoplastic material. The actuator shaft 17 is slidably received by the bore 39 and the stepped bore 55 in the switch housing 15 and has an enlarged end portion or push button 69 exposed at the upper end of the switch housing. Integral with the lower side of the push button 69 is a cross portion 71 (FIGS. and 11) having a longitudinally extending peripheral rib 73 slidably received in the peripheral groove 41.

Integral with the cross portion 71 is a disc portion 75 which is substantially parallel with the push button 69 and a stern portion 77 extending axially downwardly into the stepped bore 55. The stem portion '77 includes plates 79 and 80, a lower conical camming surface 81, an upper conical camming surface 83, and downwardly extending spaced resilient tabs 85 and 87 forming a fork (FIG. 11). The camming surfaces 81 and 83 are polished and intersect to form a sharp circular edge 89. Diametrically opposed elements, i.e., in the geometrical sense, of the upper camming surface 83 will intersect to form a smaller angle than diametrically opposed elements of the lower conical camming surface 81. In one instance, the former angle was 40 and the latter angle was approximately 100. The camming surfaces 81 and 83 and the switch housing 15 preferably have a common longitudinal axis. The plates 79 and are diametrically disposed on and cover two longitudinal segments of the camming surfaces 81 and 83, but leave large areas thereof exposed within the housing. The plates 79 and 80 extend beneath the lower camming surface 81 and over a cylindrical section 90 and conical section 90a of the stem portion 77.

Snap actuated means for releasably retaining the actuator shaft 1'7 in the switch housing 15 are provided. Such means include the conical end wall 63 and the resilient tabs 85 and 87 (FIG. 7) which have upper conical surfaces 91 and 93, respectively, and lower conical surfaces 95 and 9'7, respectively. To insert the actuator shaft 17, the resilient tabs 85 and 87 are inserted through the bore 39 until the lower conical surfaces 95 and 97 engage the tapered guiding surface 58. By applying force to the actuator shaft 17, the tapered :guiding surface 58 earns the resilient tabs 85 and 87 toward each other and allows them to slide through the annular boss 61 to the position shown in FIG. 7 in which downward movement of the switch actuator 17 is limited by the abutment surface 25 on the switch housing, upward movement of the actuator shaft is limited by engagement of the upper conical surfaces 91 and 93 with the tapered conical end wall 63, and rotation of the actuator shaft relative to the housing 15 is prevented by the meshing of the peripheral rib 73 with the peripheral groove 41 (FIG. 3). Thus, without the use of separate conventional fasteners, the actuator shaft is retained within the switch housing 15 for limited axial reciprocation.

The shape of the wire 19, which is identical to the wire 21, is shown in detail in FIG. 10. Corresponding portions of the wire 21 are indicated by corresponding primed reference characters. The wire 19 is integral, resilient, conductive, has a generally circular cross section and forms a coil spring 101 having at least a portion of one but preferably four or five coils intermediate the ends thereof. A generally straight section 103 of the wire lying between the spring 101 and the end of the wire most remote from the spring is adapted to be substantially rigidly mounted in the switch housing 15 by means which are hereinafter described. The wire 19 also includes an end 104, a reverse bend or terminal 105, a bend 107, and a relatively gradual bend 109 adjacent the spring 101. The lower side of the section 103 defines a fixed contact 111, and the wire between the spring 101 and the end adjacent the spring 101 defines a movable arm 113, an upper surface area of which defines a movable contact 114.

In one instance the wires 19 and 21 were formed from Phosphor bronze spring wire preplated with .000035 inch to .000050 inch hard, mirror-bright, gold electroplating and the spring 101 consisted of four and one-half closely wound right-hand coils without any initial tension. In the unstressed condition shown in FIG. 10', vertical planes containing the section 103 and the portion of the arm 113 between the spring 101 and the wire end adjacent the movable contact 114 are parallel, the last mentioned portion forming an angle of about 10 with the section 103.

The wires 19 and 21 are received by the wire receiving passages 43 and 45, respectively, the terminals 105 and 105' extending to the exterior of the switch housing. The springs 101 and 101 are positioned above the longtiudinal pasageways 65 and 67 (FIG. 7), the outer surfaces of the springs bearing against the wall of the bore 39 (FIG. 4). The springs 101 and 101 are diametrically disposed within the switch housing 15 and the plates 79 and 80 lie between the fixed and movable contacts on the wires 19 and 21, respectively (FIG. 4). The movable contacts 114 and 114' lie beneath the fixed contacts 111' and 111, respectively.

Snap actuated means are provided for securing the wires 19 and 21 to the switch housing 15. The wires 19 and 21 are firmly held in the wire-receiving passages 43 and 45, respectively, by the reverse bends or terminals 105 and 105 and the 90 bends 107, and the springs 101 and 101' are restrained against movement radially outwardly by their engagement or near engagement with the wall of the bore 39. The reverse bend 105 urges the end 104 against the frusto-conical portion 51 and the bend 107 against the small diameter cylindrical portion 47.

FIGS. 4- and 12 illustrate the means for releasably connecting the sections 103 and 103' of the wires 19 and 21 to the switch housing 15. The switch housing 15 provides supporting surfa es 115 and 117 adjacent the small diameter portion 47 and the spring 101, respectively, to prevent downward movement of the wire 19. Restraining members 119 and 121 extending upwardly from. the supporting surfaces 115 and 117, respectively, prevent the section 103 from moving radially inwardly, the restraining member 119 also covering about one-half of the upper end of the small diameter portion 47. A flexible resilient locking finger 123 is integral with and extends inwardly from the wall of the bore 39 so that it frictionally engages and holds the section 103 firmly against the suporting surfaces 115 and 117. Thus, by flexing the locking finger 123 outwardly, the wire 19 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 12 and releasing the locking finger allows it to snap inwardly to the position shown in the drawings to releasably hold the wire in the switch housing. Identical means retain the section 103' within the switch housing, corresponding elements of which have been designated by corresponding primed reference numerals.

The operation of the device may best be understood by reference to FIGS. 133-1361 and 14a-14d. FIGS. 3, 11, 13a, and 14a show the switch in the off or open position. In such position, the springs 101 and 101' bias the movable arms 113 and 113, respectively, against the actuator shaft 17 and the lower portion of the lower camming surface 81, and the movable arms 113 and 113 are spaced downwardly from the sections 103' and 103, respectively, which provide the two fixed contacts 111' and 111.

When it is desired to close the switch, the actuator shaft 17 is urged downwardly, thereby causing the lower camming surface 81 to cam the movable arms 113 and 113' outwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 13b and 14b in which the movable arms engage the sharp circular line 09. In this position, the movable arms 113 and 113 are unstable and when the actuator shaft 17 is moved slightly downwardly from this position, the resilient biasing force of the springs 101 and 101 causes the movable arms to quickly snap upwardly along the camming surface 83 to the position shown in FIGS. 13c and 140 in which the movable contact arms 113 and 113 firmly engage the lower surfaces of the sections 103' and .103, respectively, to close the switch, the surfaces of the wires beneath the sections 103 and 103 providing the fixed contacts 111 and 111' and the surfaces of the movable arms 113 and 113' which engage such fixed contacts defining the movable contacts 114 and 114, respectively.

The circuit between the terminals 105 and 105' may be completed through either or both of the movable arms 113 and 113 thereby substantially increasing reliability of the snap actuated switch. Of course, by moving the ining surfaces 81 and 03.

6 actuator shaft 17 upwardly the snap action described above will reverse and the elements will return to the position shown in FIGS. 13a and 14a.

If it is desired to have the switch return automatically from the closed to the opened position, the return spring 23 may be employed. As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 11, the return spring 23 engages the annular shoulder 57 at one end and the undersides of the plates 79 and 80 at the other to urge the actuator shaft upwardly to the opened position. Thus, when the return spring 23 is employed, the switch will automatically return to the opened position.

An important feature of this invention is the wiping or rubbing action between the areas of the wires 19 and 21 which define the fixed and movable contacts. This wiping action occurs every time the switch is moved from the closed to the opened position. Thus, by moving the actuator shaft .17 upwardly from the position shown in FIGS. 13c and 140, the movable arms 113 and 113' are cammed outwardly by the upper cam surface 83 while the engagement between the movable arms 113 and 113 and the sections 103 and 103, respectively, is maintained thereby providing a Wiping action on the surface areas of the wires which define the fixed and movable contacts. Additional wiping action may be obtained by reciprocating the actuator shaft 17 so that the movable contacts 113 and 113' are caused to slide back and forth along the camming surface 83 (FIGS. 13d and 14d) and, hence, also along the underside of the sections 103 and 103, respectively.

Another very important feature of this invention is the inte ral resilient wires 19 and 21. Each of the wires proyides a terminal, a coil spring, a fixed contact, a movable contact, a conductive path electrically connecting these items, and sufficient resilience to allow snap action. The springs i101 and 101 bias the moving contact arms 113 and 113', respectively, into engagement with the actuator shaft 17 and facilitate movement of the movable arms longitudinally of the actuator shaft, i.e., along the cam- In order that the springs 101 and 101' may perform this latter function, it is preferred that they not be rigidly confined within the switch housing 15. Although for simplicity, it is preferred to use surface areas of the wires 19 and 21 for the contacts, it is Within the scope of this invention to utilize separate elements such as special deposits of conductor along the wires to form the contacts. Because the wires are of low iass and specially designed, contact bounce is minimized.

It is within the scope of this invention to provide additional separate fixed contacts for engagement by each of the movable contacts in the position shown in FIGS. 13a and 14a and described hereinabove as the open position. These fixed contacts are in addition to the fixed contacts 111 and 111 and hence, when these additional contacts are used, a double throw switch results. Other configurations providing multiple fixed contacts arranged radially about the camming surfaces 81 and 83 may be also provided. Other carnming surfaces may be employed on the actuator shaft 17 in axial spaced relation with additional movable and fixed contacts to provide a plurality of switches actuable sequentially or simultaneously.

Thus, the snap actuated switch 11 of the present invention requires only four parts, i.e., the integral molded housing 15, the integral molded actuator shaft 17, and the two wires 19 and 21, the return spring 23 being optional. These parts may be quickly and easily assembled by snap-in devices which. obviate the need for the usual screws or other separate fastening elements. The resulting switch provides two parallel paths for current flow therethrough thereby substantially improving reliability.

Many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without depanting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for movement housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing adjacent said actuator shaft, said fixed contact being free of physical integration with said actuator shaft;

a conductive wire in said housing substantially rigidly mounted at one section of its length, at least a portion of said wire between said section and one end thereof defining a movable arm which extends generally transversely of said actuator shaft, said arm being engageable with said actuator shaft and carrying a movable contact, said fixed contact being mounted in the path of movement of said movable contact, said movable contact being engageable with said fixed contact;

means for biasing said arm toward said actuator shaft;

and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said arm and responsive to said movement of said actuator shaft for snapping said movable contact into and out of engagement with said fixed contact.

2. A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a first cam surface diverging outwardly along said actuator shaft in one direction and a second cam surface diverging outwardly along said actuator shaft in the opposite direction, said first and second cam surfaces intersecting to form a line.

3. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for movement in said housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing adjacent said actuator shaft, said fixed contact being free of physical integration with said actuator shaft;

an elongated integral conductive wire within said housing having a substantially rigidly mounted section intermediate the ends thereof, at least a portion of said wire between said substantially rigidly mounted section and one end thereof defining a movable arm which extends generally transversely of said actuator shaft, said arm being engagea-ble with said actuator shaft and carrying a movable contact, said fixed contact being mounted in the path of movement of said movable contact and being engageable therewith, and said wire between said rigidly mounted section and the other end thereof defining a conductive lead;

means for biasing said arm toward said actuator shaft;

and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said arm and responsive to the movement of said actuator shaft for snapping said movable contact into and out of engagement with said fixed contact.

4. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for movement in said housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing adjacent said actuator shaft, said fixed contact being free of physical integration with said actuator shaft;

an elongated integral conductive wire forming at least a portion of one coil, said wire having a substantially rigidly mounted section in said housing adjacent said coil, said wire between said coil and one end of said wire defining an arm which extends generally transversely of said actuator shaft and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said coil resiliently biasing said arm toward said actuator shaft, and said arm carrying a movable contact, said fixed contact being mounted in the path of movement of said movable contact and being engageable therewith; and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable wit-h said arm and responsive to the movement of said actuator in said an elongated integral conductive wire forming at least one coil intermediate the ends thereof, a section of said wire between said coil and one of said ends being substantially rigidly mounted in said housing, said wire between said coil and the other end thereof defining an arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said coil resiliently biasing said arm toward said actuator shaft, a surface portion of said arm defining amovable contact, said fixed contact being mounted in the path of movement of said movable contact and being engageable therewith, and the length of wire between said section and said one end defining a conductive lead; and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said arm and responsive to the movement of said actuator shaft for snapping said movable contact into and out of engagement with said fixed contact.

6. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for movement in said housing;

first and second fixed contacts mounted in said housing adjacent said actuator shaft;

a first conductive wire in said housing having a substantially rigidly mounted section in said housing, at least a portion of said first wire between said section thereof and one end thereof defining a first arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said first arm carrying a first movable contact engageable with said first fixed contact;

a second conductive wire in said housing having a substantially rigidly mounted section, at least a portion of said second conductive wire between said section thereof and one end thereof defining a second arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said second arm carrying a second movable contact engageable with said second fixed contact;

means for biasing said first and second arms toward said actuator shaft; and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said first and second arms for snapping said first and second movable contacts into and out of engagement with said first and second fixed contacts, respectively.

'7. A switch as defined in claim 6 wherein said sections of said first and second conductive wires are intermediate the ends of said first and second conductive wires respectively, said first conductive wire carrying said second fixed contact, and said second conductive wire carrying said firs-t fixed contact.

8. A switch as defined in claim 6 wherein said cam means simultaneously snaps said first and second movable contacts into engagement with said first and second fixed contacts respectively.

9. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for reciprocation in said housing;

a first elongated integral conductive wire forming substantially at least one first wire coil intermediate the ends thereof, a section of said first wire between one of said ends and said first wire coil being substantially rigidly mounted in said housing, said first wire between said first wire coil and the other of said ends of said first wire defining a first arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said first wire coil resiliently biasing said first arm toward said actuator shaft, said first arm carrying a first movable contact, and a portion of said first wire between said first wire coil and said one end of said first wire defining a first fixed contact;

a second elongated integral conductive wire forming substantially at least one second wire coil intermediate the ends thereof, a section of said second wire between one of said ends and said second wire coil being substantially rigidly mounted in said housing, said second wire between said second wire coil and the other of said ends of said second wire defining a second arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said second wire coil resiliently biasing said second arm toward said actuator shaft, said second arm carrying a second movable contact, and a portion of said second wire between said second wire coil and said one end of said second wire defining a second fixed contact; and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said first and second arms for snapping said first and second movable contacts into and out of engagement with said second and first fixed contacts, respectively.

10. A switch comprising:

a switch housing;

an actuator shaft mounted for movement in said housing;

a fixed contact mounted in said housing adjacent said actuator shaft;

an elongated integral conductor forming at least a portion of one resilient coil intermediate its ends, a section of said conductor between one of said ends and said coil being substantially rigidly mounted in said housing, said conductor between the other of said ends and said coil defining an arm which extends generally transversely of and is engageable with said actuator shaft, said coil resiliently biasing said arm toward said actuator shaft, said arm carrying a movable contact, and said conductor between said section and said one end defining a conductive lead; and

cam means on said actuator shaft engageable with said arm and responsive to the movement of said actuator shaft for snapping said movable contact into and out of engagement with said fixed contact.

11. A switch comprising:

a hollow switch housing of insulating material;

an actuating shaft of insulating material mounted for reciprocation in said housing, one end of said actuating shaft being exposed at the exterior of said switch housing to define a push-button;

snap actuated means for releasably retaining said a terminal communicable with the exterior of said switch housing, a portion of said first wire adjacent the other of said ends engaging said actuating shaft and carrying a movable contact;

a second conductive wire within said housing and having a fixed portion defining a fixed contact engageable with said movable contact, a portion of said second wire adjacent one end thereof carrying a terminal communicable with the exterior of said switch housing; and

means responsive to movement of said actuating shaft for moving said movable contact into engagement with said fixed contact.

12. A switch comprising:

a hollow switch housing of insulating material;

an actuating shaft of insulating material mounted for reciprocation in said housing, one end of said actuating shaft being exposed at the exterior of said switch housing to define a push-button;

first snap actuated means for releasably retaining said actuating shaft in said switch housing;

a first conductive wire having a section intermediate the ends thereof fixed to said switch housing, a length of said first wire adjacent one of said ends carrying a terminal communicable with the exterior of said switch housing, a portion of said first wire adjacent the other of said ends engaging said actuating shaft and carrying a movable contact;

a second conductive wire within said housing and having a fixed portion defining la fixed contact engageable with said movable contact, a portion of said second wire adjacent one end thereof carrying a terminal communicable with the exterior of said switch housing;

means responsive to movement of said actuating shaft for moving said movable contact into engagement with said fixed contact; and

second snap actuated means for securing said first and second wires to said switch housing.

13. A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein an e1ongated conductor is provided within said housing for carrying said fixed contact, a portion of said elongated conductor carrying a terminal communicable with the exterior of said switch housing; and

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1889 Thompson 200-77 5/1958 Lewis.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

D. SMITH, JR., Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0c 3,274,355 September 20, 1966 James R, Francy It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 70, for "l4a-l4b" read 14a-l4d column 3, line 67, for "injecting" read injection column 6, line 23, for ."providing" read producing Signed and sealed this 22nd day of August 1967c (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A SWITCH COMPRISING: A SWITCH HOUSING; AN ACTUATOR SHAFT MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT IN SAID HOUSING; A FIXED CONTACT MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT, SAID FIXED CONTACT BEING FREE OF PHYSICAL INTEGRATION WITH SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT; A CONDUCTIVE WIRE IN SAID HOUSING SUBSTANTIALLY RIGIDLY MOUNTED AT ONE SECTION OF ITS LENGTH, AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID WIRE BETWEEN SAID SECTION AND ONE END THEREOF DEFINING A MOVABLE ARM WHICH EXTENDS GENERALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT, SAID ARM BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT AND CARRYING A MOVABLE CONTACT, SAID FIXED CONTACT BEING MOUNTED IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE CONTACT, SAID MOVABLE CONTACT BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIXED CONTACT; MEANS FOR BIASING SAID ARM TOWARD SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT; AND CAM MEANS ON SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ARM AND RESPONSIVE TO SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR SHAFT FOR SNAPPING SAID MOVABLE CONTACT INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIXED CONTACT. 